A/N: Wow, I haven't written (or posted eheh) in forever!! Well then!! Umm…as usual, this was a little plot bunny that popped into my head that I thought was slightly oddball at first, and then couldn't get out of my head for weeks and wrote down after letting it stew for a while. Yes, I know that survival for Sweeney was basically impossible and I'm incredibly sorry for that, BUT it's necessary for the story. :) So enjoy!
P.S.: I have no idea what Anthony's actual last name was, so I just took it from Johanna's sweetheart in the actual Sweeney Todd story as a bit of (once again) oddness.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot! I'm not saying it again so get your fill here!
Prologue: A New Story for Benjamin
Mr. Todd had always told eleven-year-old Benjamin Ingestrie good stories as long as he could remember. Benjamin could clearly remember his first meeting with the man at four years old; it was probably something he would never forget because of the stories that had ensued the meeting.
From his own insignificant height at the time, Mr. Todd had seemed to tower over Benjamin and his parents, Johanna and Anthony. Even at his young age, Benjamin could see that Mr. Todd was a bit sad and very, very tired. The ivory streak that cut through his wild mane of black hair had added to this vision.
Mr. Todd then smiled at the boy, a warm smile that nearly touched his eyes, as though he had forgotten how to do the thing.
"You must be young Benjamin," he said in a quiet, rough voice, squatting down and holding out a hand. Benjamin shook it with a tighter grip than was necessary to show this man what type of a boy he was. He tried to look away from the dark eyes that seemed to have sunk into their sockets. Instead, his eyes found the angry red scar crossing Mr. Todd's neck.
"Yes, sir. Where did you get that?" he asked, pointing.
Johanna took Benjamin by the hand, shushing him. "Don't be rude, sweetie."
"That's all right," Mr. Todd murmured, straightening up. "Make a good story for when he's older." He gave a little half-wink.
"Why don't you go play with your toys?" Johanna said, propelling Benjamin to the next room while the adults went to the kitchen. Naturally, he tried to listen in, but it was mostly grown-up talk. All he could glean was that Mr. Todd was to be staying here for a bit, until he "got back on his feet." It seemed to Benjamin that Mr. Todd walked okay – what were they talking about?
Now, seven years later, he walked down to Mr. Todd's house on the coast almost daily, depending on the story. Benjamin shuddered and pulled his collar up against the first drops of rain. The wind whipped his dark hair into his eyes as he knocked on the door to Mr. Todd's cottage.
"Come in," came the quiet voice from within.
Benjamin closed the door with a snap in an effort to keep out the chill. "Hi, Mr. T," he called as he moved to the sitting room.
"Don't call me that," Mr. Todd scowled, flicking his gaze out the window.
Benjamin's curiosity got the better of him before he could think better of it. "Why not?"
Mr. Todd turned dark, liquid eyes on him. "Someone that was curiously dear to me called me that before she died."
The younger boy blinked in surprise. He was not at all used to hearing things in such a blunt way from Mr. Todd. It suddenly struck him that the ivory streak had widened quite a bit, and that there were no laugh lines around his eyes; only two that were permanently etched into the center of his brow.
"Sorry," Benjamin said, and then, "D'you have a story for me, sir?" in more eager tones.
Mr. Todd drew in a breath and let it out through his nose in a gust. "I suppose I do."
"What about?" the boy questioned.
"An old acquaintance of mine…by the name of Benjamin Barker."
Benjamin cocked his head.
"Yes, I suppose you were named after him. Sit down; this is a long one."
He sat in the armchair across from Mr. Todd's, sensing that this was important. "Let's hear it then, Mr. T…odd."
A/N: Yeah, it's kinda short, I know, but the chapters will be longer, I promise. I've got the first one written already, but I have to go get ready to leave, otherwise I would put it up sooner. O.o I'm kinda late, so gotta run, see ya later!! Leave love and get love back! Hey cool I coined a phrase. :)